Governor wants end to ‘senseless killings’ in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has called on youths in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local councils of the state to stop what he described as ‘senseless killings’ of innocent citizens in the area.

He made this plea yesterday at Etim Ekpo Local Council headquarters, during the distribution of relief materials to displaced indigenes due to the activities of cultists in these two local councils.He said government was always saddened once stories filtered in that innocent persons or security agents were either kidnapped or killed when “they are there to maintain peace and provide the needed protection.”

It would be recalled that the two councils have been bedeviled by the problem of insecurity since 2017, which has resulted to incessant kidnappings and killings of innocent persons. This has also led to people fleeing their homes to neighbouring councils.

The governor, who was not happy with the reoccurrence of the criminal activities, reiterated his earlier allegation that those cultists were being sponsored by persons he refused to mention their names. He called on youths to sheathe their sword for peace to reign.

Emmanuel, who had earlier pleaded with the perpetrators of the heinous crime to surrender their arms but to no avail, yesterday dangled a new olive branch. He said government was ready to rehabilitate them.He advised parents, chiefs and concerned citizens to talk to those suspected to be involved in these nefarious activities to stop, saying that, ‘enough is enough’.

“It is not easy for me, as a father, to sleep or be happy, when I hear that people in my community are not living in peace. I call on Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun youths to embrace peace. If you know anyone, who is involved, please, tell him to sheathe his sword. Without peace, there is no development,” he said.